Dangers of working at height repeated by HSE

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has repeated its warnings surrounding working at height and controlling health and safety risks in the workplace following the death of an employee on a construction site.

F J Chalcroft, a construction company from Norfolk, appealed against court ruling after an accident where a 22 year-old employee feel ten metres when he leaned on an unsecured handrail on the mezzanine area of a cold store under construction.

The company, which was fined £260,000 and ordered to pay costs of £80,000 by Nottinghamshire county court, had its appeal turned down.

Rosi Edwards, HSE head of operations for Construction in the Midlands, said that this was a tragic accident which resulted in the death of young man with his life ahead of him.

"Companies involved in building, refurbishment or maintenance should ensure that the work is planned properly and sensible measures taken so that workers are not exposed to unnecessary risk," he said.

The latest figures from the HSE revealed that 23 workers died in the construction industry from a fall from height in 2006-07.

Find out more about Construction safety